Secular Sangha: A Secular Buddhist Group discussion

Use this thread to discuss Buddhist concepts that are of interest to you.

For me I am interested in the Buddhist analysis of the "self."

The Buddhist concepts of "self" and how one can become enlighten through understanding self are what intrigue me the most.

Piyangie wrote: "The Buddhist concepts of "self" and how one can become enlighten through understanding self are what intrigue me the most."

I think the Buddhist concept of the self was explored well in the group book A History Of Indian Philosophy, Volume I. I'll be honest and say that the book was a bit dry at times, but I think that the detached academic tone helped in presenting Buddhist (and Hindu and Jainist) philosophy in a straightforward manner.

I am also interested in the concept that one should focus on changing one's outlook on life.

As it says in the group book Great Thinkers: Simple Tools from 60 Great Thinkers to Improve Your Life Today :

"The Buddha thus made the remarkable claim that we must change our outlook, not our circumstances. We are unhappy not because we don't have a raise or a lover or enough followers, but because we are greedy, vain and insecure. By reorienting our mind, we can grow to be content."

For me, this idea is best encapsulated in the "Parable of the Mustard Seed", which can be found in the group book The Gospel of Buddha and in the following link: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/btg/b...